The Portland daily press., 1887-02-11

Wouldn't listen to what she had proposed
| by no manner of means. As good luck
would have it, | hed ten dollars in my pock-
| ct. Said L:
IF this will be enough / win lend it on
the chain, and you can pay it back whenever
| you are able. That way you won't need
lose your mothers present nor pay any in
| terest"
She couldn't speak for thanks. Her heart
was too full.
at that very minute her husband came
| tearing into the room before his wife could
| get the iewelry out of sight.
"Give that to meP' he screamed. 'T.knew
| you had it all along But you lied! You
| iiedl''
With this he struck at her in his drunken
rage and poured forth torrent of cursing
| vituperati0n.
Then grabbed him and yanked him back
| wards with pretty rough jerk, but before
/ could secure him he gave me clip under
| the ear that Knocked me over a STOOL and
made another savage lunge at the defense
less woman as she strove to get out of his
way.
The blood of Constable John Prick was
now up to fever heat. Generally he is a
mild tempered man with constitutional
tendency TO peace. He never could stand
quiet and see a woman or child abused
though, and he tackled that brute with as
little conjunction as he would have tram
pied the life out OF snake or rat.
4 hAoNhtN QUNH, hlCktu Uliil blilIC VI
two or in the ribs, and mopped up the floor
with him in a way that sobered him so he
larry roared for mercy. Never gave man
such an unmerciful thrashing in my life be-
fore.
And all this time his wife, her face as
white as death and holding out her arms i'm
hide.
That was womanlike, too.
NOW you get team and move this stuff
liVQlv -, cold &C I LOT him crawl off fl
floor.
Turning to his wife, as she stood all in a
tremble, / assured her he had never had
anything do him so much good as that beat
ing would do.
And was right, as / am able to show.
did not see or hear anything of them, ex-
cept once, about three months after, when
Sevhlom, called at the office and redeemed
the chain, till as much as two years had
gone by. L CHANGED to be walking one even
ing on street l had not seen before, when |
came to the front of mighty pretty cottage
with trim garden and grass lawn in front;
and stood admiring 1t bit, as have fash
ion OF stopping to enjoy the sight of a nice
real hearty, and a CHEEKY voice cried:
Constable John Fricki Give me your
handp"
If you'll believe me, it was that identical
l0afer, Carl Sevholm!
But not the first bit of a loafer now. Not
ing man nor more respectable gentleman in
a long days march. 1t was solid pleasure
to look at him and remember what God
forsaken scamp he had been not three years
ago.
Come right in and see Mrs. Sevholm!' he
said, pulling me up to the side porch, all COW
cred with pretty vines. She'll be mighty
glad to see you"
Pleased? You'd better believe it, Pleased
wasn't half a name for it, The light of new
born happiness and thankful gratitude was
inst dancing in her bright eyes.
All, wasn't she pictured Health and rosy
gladness of heart had all come back to her
Soul-numbing trouble had all goue. She
was just as sweet and nice looking a lady as
| ever set eyes on; and the baby, as plump
and fresh as a spring robin, was toddling
around like house ATTIRE.
House was furnished handsome, / can tell
you. Everything in top apple-pie order. 1t
was easy to see that the old miserable sa-
loon tipping was played cut for good.
When stood up to leave, after enjoying
real pleasant chat and promising to call
again, Sevholm clasped my hand as he said:
Constable John Prick. that was an awful
thrashing you gave me. My bones ached for
aimonth. But it did me more good than
anything / ever had. And thank you for
1t to-day. 1t made man of me. God bless
youl''